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English: sentence completion

Sentence completion (cloze) asks you to choose the word that best fits a gap. The right answer must fit the meaning and the grammar.

What is tested

  • Choosing words that fit meaning
  • Prepositions, verb forms and conjunctions in a gap
  • Words in a continuous passage with several blanks

Worked example

'She never once tired ___ the sound of the sea.' (of / from / with / by)

  1. The phrase 'tired of' means bored with.
  2. 'Tired from' is used for exhaustion, so 'of' is the fit here.

Answer: of

Exam-day checklist

  • Read the whole sentence, not just the gap.
  • Try each option in the gap.
  • Check grammar as well as meaning.
  • Reread the finished sentence.

Common mistakes

  • Picking a word that fits the meaning but not the grammar.
  • Choosing the first plausible option.
  • Ignoring words after the gap.

Try it yourself

1. 'The path was flooded, ___ we turned back.' (so / but / although)

Show answer

so

The flooding causes them to turn back: cause and effect.

2. 'A keeper ___ trust the weather.' (should / might / has)

Show answer

should

'Should' expresses advice, which fits the grandfather's saying.

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